East Harlem Residents Make Halloween Protest Against Potential Landlord

HARLEM — Residents of 47 Dawnay Day foreclosed buildings went trick or treating at their potential new landlord's offices, though the only treat they wanted was for the company to pull out of making a deal.

Members of The Movement for Justice in El Barrio donned Halloween masks and marched into Hope Community offices on 104th Street to hand out pictures of rats and roaches posted on candy shapes for Halloween.

British company Dawnay Day purchased the East Harlem homes for $225 million in 2007, but has since gone bankrupt. The building will be put up for auction once the foreclosure action is resolved.

Residents of both buildings argued that Hope Community has its hands full with its own 72 building portfolio and won't be able to manage an additional 47 properties.

"We do not want Hope Community to buy our homes," Maria Mercado, one of 30 residents, said in Spanish inside the offices.

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